Columbus police aim to lower violence against women with female self-defense classes

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Columbus Police Department has been making efforts to help prevent violence against women with their female self-defense classes.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly 70 women each month are killed by their partner with a gun. That is why CPD is holding these women’s defense classes.

“My ultimate goal is to have every woman in the city of Columbus carrying a gun,” said CPD Chief Stoney Mathis.

According to the Gun Violence Prevention and Advocacy, more than 6500 women die from gun violence every year. Over 47% of women have encountered sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner. CPD aims to lower these numbers with its female self-defense classes.

“Women are at a much higher incidence of violence committed against them,” said Lieutenant Kelly Phillips. “So I think it’s important for all women to have a background in just a little bit of self-defense, knowing whether they should run, or whether they should fight.”

The female self-defense class is a two-day course that teaches women self-awareness tactics and how to properly use firearms. Participant Katie Yont says she entered the program to gain confidence.

“Very nerve-racking at first, but the people that were helping us did very well with giving us confidence and calming us down and reassuring us like this is how you handle, you make sure hold it a certain way.”

With the goal of educating women about the multiple ways to protect themselves, CPD emphasizes that guns aren’t the only option.

“I want women to be confident in whatever tool they’re going to use,” said Lieutenant Phillips. “It might be a firearm, it might be a taser, it might be pepper spray. Whatever level of force someone is comfortable with.”

Chief Mathis explained that this program is built on the statistic that women are 5 times more likely to be a victim of violent crime.

“We want to focus on where the crimes are occurring, and if the women are victims, we want to teach them how to not be a victim,” said Chief Mathis.

The next women’s defense course will start on Sept. 26, and anyone interested can register for that class by contacting the CPD. There are only 25 seats available.